Toilet Flush Handle

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are various embodiments of a toilet flush handle. In one embodiment, the toilet flush is attached to a lever. At least one receptacle is disposed on the lever, the at least one receptacle being configured to facilitate attachment of a flapper tether to the lever. In one embodiment, the toilet flush handle includes an anti-microbial agent. In another embodiment, an active component is embedded in the toilet flush handle. The active component is configured to generate a user perceivable output in response to a movement of the toilet flush handle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/114,518 filed on Nov. 14, 2008 entitled “TOILET FLUSH HANDLE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Toilet flush handles can become quite dirty over time due to repeated use. Also, toilet flush handles are typically permanent in nature and cannot be changed by the average individual without undue effort. Also, from time to time, it can be difficult to teach young children how to use a toilet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a portion of a toilet tank that depicts a toilet handle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a drawing that depicts a linkage of a toilet handle depicted in FIG. 1 to a flush lever according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a drawing of a portion of the linkage of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a toilet handle having active components that may be employed with the toilet tank of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an active component embedded in the toilet handle of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart that depicts one example of the operation of an output system in the active component of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, shown is partial view of a toilet tank 100 in which a toilet flush handle 103 is depicted. The toilet flush handle 103 is attached to a lever 106. In one embodiment, the toilet flush handle 103 is removably attached to the lever 106 to facilitate easy removal and replacement for the purposes of cleaning as will be described. The lever includes various receptacles 109 that facilitate the attachment of a flapper tether 113 to the lever 106. The receptacles 109 may comprise holes or other structures that are configured to facilitate attachment of the flapper tether 113 to the lever 106. The opposing end of the flapper tether 113 is coupled to a toilet flapper (not shown) to facilitate a flushing of the toilet of which the toilet tank 100 is a part. The flapper tether 113 may comprise, for example, a chain, string, or other structure. The chain may be constructed from metal, nylon, plastic, or other material. The lever pivots about a pivot point 116 based upon a manipulation of the toilet flush handle 103.

In order to flush a toilet, a user may press on the toilet flush handle 103 causing the lever 106 to lift. The lever 106 pulls the flapper tether 113, thereby lifting a flapper (not shown) on the bottom of the toilet tank 100. Alternatively, the flapper tether 113 may be coupled to some other type of valve as can be appreciated. Ultimately, this allows the toilet tank to drain into a toilet bowl, thereby flushing waste down the drain.

Embedded within the toilet flush handle 103 is an active component 119 that is configured to generate a user perceivable output in response to a movement of the toilet flush handle 103. To this end, the active component 119 may include a sensor or switch that senses or detects movement of the toilet flush handle 103. The active component 119 includes lights 123 and a speaker 126. The lights 123 may comprise, for example, light emitting diodes or other type of lights. The toilet flush handle 103 includes ports through which the lights 123 are exposed. Also, the toilet flush handle 103 may include a grating or other structure to allow audio generated by the speaker 126 to pass through the toilet flush handle 103.

When a user presses on the toilet flush handle 103 to implement a flush of a toilet, the sensor or switch included in the active component 119 generates a signal that is applied to an appropriate output generating system as will be described. In response, a user perceivable output is generated such as an audio recording, indicator lights, or other output. Such output may comprise a novelty recording and lights to indicate various affiliations of the toilet users. In one embodiment, the recording may be celebratory in nature to provide positive feedback for the use of the toilet by toddlers who are learning to use the toilet the first time. For example, the recording might say “Hurray, you used the toilet!” and may include appropriate music or other sounds. As a consequence, use of the toilet may seem much less of a daunting task by young children, thereby increasing the odds of successful early toilet training. Due to the fact that the toilet flush handle 103 is removable, multiple different toilet flush handles 103 may be used in succession over time as a toddler develops the ability to use the toilet to make sure the incentive provided by the toilet flush handle 103 does not become monotonous. Further, the active component may be configured to re-record a new message from time to time as may be deemed appropriate.

In another example, the audio output may comprise a fight song of a school (or an adversary school) that is configured to take advantage of the flush sounds made by the toilet to reflect the sentiment of the user toward the school, etc. To this end, the recording may be any recording as can be appreciated.

The toilet flush handle 103 may be constructed of various materials such as metals, plastics, or other materials. In one embodiment, the toilet flush handle 103 includes an anti-microbial agent 129. In this respect, the toilet flush handle 103 may be partially or wholly constructed from an anti-microbial material such as anti-microbial plastic or other material that includes the anti-microbial agent 129. Alternatively, the toilet flush handle 103 may be at least partially or wholly covered with a coating that includes the anti-microbial agent 129. To this end, the coating that includes the anti-microbial agent 129 may cover only a portion of the toilet flush handle 103 that is typically touched by hands or fingers in the process of flushing a toilet. Alternatively, the coating that includes the anti-microbial agent 129 may cover the entire toilet flush handle 103. Further, the toilet flush handle 103 may include a removable portion such as a shield that may or may not include the anti-microbial agent 129. The anti-microbial agent 129 may comprise, for example, silver ions that are incorporated by a zeolite carrier as marketed by Agion Technologies of Wakefield, Mass. In addition, other anti-microbial agents may be employed.

The anti-microbial agent 129 inhibits the growth of bacteria or other microbes on the toilet flush handle 103, thereby preventing the transmission of bacteria and other microbes between persons who use the toilet. This is especially important to prevent the transmission of illness and disease among persons, including young children, the elderly, and/or those with low immunity.

Turning then to FIG. 2A, shown is one example of an assembly 153 that facilitates the removable attachment of the toilet flush handle 103 to the lever 106 according to one embodiment. The assembly 153 includes a port structure 153 that includes a thread 159. A nut 163 is affixed to the thread 159 and facilitates clamping of the wall of the toilet tank 100 (FIG. 1) when the toilet handle 103 is assembled in the toilet tank 100. A pivot portion of the lever 106 extends through the center of the port structure 153 and terminates into a plug structure 166. The plug structure 166 includes a flat surface 169 and an annular groove 173 that extends around the periphery of the plug structure 166. Alternatively, the annular groove 173 may be replaced by discrete indentations at respective locations around the periphery of the plug structure 166.

The toilet flush handle 103 includes a receptacle 176 that is compatible with the plug structure 166. The receptacle 176 includes hinged grips 179 that press into the annular groove 173 or indentations when the plug structure 166 is fully inserted into the receptacle 176, thereby attaching the toilet flush handle 103 to the lever 106. To this end, the hinged grips 179 include an inward projection that engages the annular groove 173. The flat surface 169 of the plug structure 166 mates with a corresponding flat surface 183 of the receptacle 176. Referring back to FIG. 1, the mating of the flat surfaces 169 and 183 is shown, although the entire structures are not depicted as in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B depicts a side view of the receptacle 176 that clearly depicts one of the hinged grips 179.

The plug structure 166 and receptacle 176 are shown as examples of the many different types of mating structures that may be employed to removably attach the toilet flush handle 103 to the lever 106. To this end, other mating structures may be used that employ various fasteners such as screw, clips, and other fastener structures. Alternatively, other mating structures may be employed that use a key or other separating device to make it easier to change the handle given that it is possible that persons will want to make the change who do not have great technical skill and might be afraid of harming the toilet.

Referring next to FIG. 3, shown is another example of the toilet flush handle 203 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one example, the toilet flush handle 203 is a decorative handle that depicts a sentiment of an owner regarding a school rivalry. Alternatively, the toilet flush handle 203 may include any decorative theme and may be molded or otherwise embodied in many different shapes and sizes. For example, such shapes may be novelty shapes associated with holidays, toilet training themes, animals, sports themes, or any shape. The toilet flush handle 203 may include indicator lights 123. Embedded in the toilet flush handle 203 is the active component 119 that generates the user perceivable output in response to a movement of the toilet flush handle 203. In particular, when the toilet flush handle 203 is pushed down to implement a flush of a toilet, a sensor or switch within the active component 119 detects the movement or vibration and implements the playback of a recording and illuminates the lights 123. The lights may be continuously illuminated or may blink, etc. The illumination or blinking of the lights and the playback of the recording may last for a predefined period of time as can be appreciated.

Referring next to FIG. 4, shown is one example of the active component 119 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the active component includes a processor circuit. Alternatively, the active component may include dedicated digital logic circuitry, etc.

The active component 119 includes a movement sensor 206. The movement sensor 206 may comprise a vibration sensor, a movement activated switch, or other type of movement sensing device. The movement sensor 206 is in electrical communication with an output system 209. The output system 209 may include, for example, an audio playback system 213 and a memory 216. In one embodiment, an audio recording may be stored in the memory and played back by the audio playback system 213 when movement of the toilet flush handle 103 is detected. In addition, the output system 209 may include digital logic circuitry that causes the illumination of the lights 123 as deemed appropriate. In one embodiment, the lights 123 may blink in a pattern, at random, or in some other manner. The active component 119 may further comprise a power source 223 that provides power to the movement sensor 206 and the output system 209. The power source 223 may comprise batteries or other appropriate power source.

When the movement sensor 206 detects motion of the toilet flush handle 103, an appropriate signal is provided to the output system 209 that causes the playback of a recording or the illumination of the lights 123 as described above.

The active component 119 includes a switch 226 that is employed to turn the active component 119 on an off. This allows the device to be turned off in cases where it is desirable to maintain quiet and conserver battery power, etc.

Referring then to FIG. 5, shown is a flowchart that provides one example of the logic implemented in the output system 209. The logic may be embodied in the form of digital logic circuitry or firmware executed by a processor circuit. The flow chart of FIG. 5 may be further viewed as a method implemented in the active component 119.

Beginning with box 303, the output system 209 waits to determine whether a movement of the toilet flush handle 103/203 has occurred. If so, the output system 209 proceeds to box 306 in which the playback of any audio recording, the illumination of the any lights 123, and any other output is implemented. The playback of the recording and illumination of the lights 123 may last a predefined period of time. In one embodiment, this period of time may be tracked by a timer in the output system 209.

Next, in box 309, the output system 209 determines whether the playback of the recording, illumination of the lights, or other output is done. This may be determined, for example, by ascertaining whether the recording has finished or by determining whether a predefined period of time has passed based upon a timer as mentioned above. Assuming that this is the case, the output system 209 reverts back to box 303 as shown.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. 

1. A system, comprising: a toilet flush handle attached to a lever; at least one receptacle disposed on the lever, the at least one receptacle being configured to facilitate attachment of a flapper tether to the lever; and the toilet flush handle including an anti-microbial agent.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the toilet flush handle is constructed from an anti-microbial material, the anti-microbial agent being included in the anti-microbial material.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein a coating that includes the anti-microbial agent covers at least a portion of the toilet flush handle.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the toilet handle further comprises a shield portion that covers a touch portion of the toilet flush handle.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the shield portion includes the anti-microbial agent.
 6. A system, comprising: a toilet flush handle; and an active component embedded in the toilet flush handle, the active component being configured to generate a user perceivable output in response to a movement of the toilet flush handle.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the toilet flush handle is removably attached to a flush lever, the flush lever having at least one receptacle configured to facilitate attachment of a flapper tether.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the active component further comprises an audio playback system, where the user perceivable output comprises an audio message generated by the audio playback system.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the audio playback system further comprises a memory that facilitates storage of an audio recording.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the active component further comprises at least one light source, where the user perceivable output comprises an illumination of the light source.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the active component further comprises a motion activated switch, where the movement of the toilet flush handle is detected by the motion activated switch.
 12. The system of claim 6, wherein the active component further comprises a vibration sensor, where the movement of the toilet flush handle is detected by the vibration sensor. 